frazzle

verb

1. (transitive)To fray or wear down, especially at the edges.

   “The new puppy has been chewing on everything, and my favorite afghan has become frazzled.”

   “Frazle, to unravel or rend cloth. Frazlings, threads of cloth, torn or unravelled.”

   “One’s garments get frazzled in the grass; one’s mind and body and spiritual sense sometimes become frazzled, torn to pieces, good-for-nothing.”

   “Her hair was of a reddish-gray color, and its frazzled and tangled condition suggested that the woman had recently passed through a period of extreme excitement.”

2. (transitive)To drain emotionally or physically.

   “After dealing with the children all day, I just can’t help feeling frazzled.”

   “One’s garments get frazzled in the grass; one’s mind and body and spiritual sense sometimes become frazzled, torn to pieces, good-for-nothing.”

noun

1. (informal)A burnt fragment; a cinder or crisp.

   “The bacon was burned to a frazzle.”

2. (informal)The condition or quality of being frazzled; a frayed end.

   “1886–90, John G. Nicolay and John Hay, Abraham Lincoln: A History Gordon had sent word to Lee that he had fought his corps to a frazzle”

   “Two years ago his nerves were worn to a frazzle over an attempt made to levy a tax.”

   “My fingers are all cut to frazzles..”

   “The little girl, a little dancing imp with a frazzle of flying red hair and red-brown eyes.”

3. A messy situation or scene.

   “It ends with a splendid phone conversation between Robin and her mother. Robin (Laura Luz) is a frazzle of choreographed energy as her explanations are obviously leading to more trouble.”

   “This is getting to be a real frazzle. We've had more odd characters running around here since that girl moved in than I have the patience to deal with”